Sassedelphia - Phillis Wheatley

Phillis Wheatley

Essential Question #1 -- What did Phillis Wheatley contribute to American literature?

Phillis Wheatley is known to be the mother of African American literature.
She paved the way for more aspiring African American writers.
By writing about the characteristics and heritage of African Americans.
She used her poetry to make political comments about freedom and independence from Britain.

Essential Question #2 -- What audience did Phillis Wheatley's writings relate to?

Just before the Boston Tea Party, she wrote to defend the American cause, so it related to Americans.
Phillis Wheatley wrote a poem to George Washington.
Her poems were so popular that when she died, people praised her by writing poems that praised the life and works of a great poetic woman.
Her poems helped African Americans.
In one poem, "To the King's Most Excellent Majesty", she praised King George the Third for repealing the stamp act.
She started to write from the points and views of the colonists when the revolution began.
For more information on Phillis Wheatley click here.

Essential Question #3 -- What motivated Phillis Wheatley to write?

Through her writing, she escaped her role as a young black slave and assumes a different persona where she conveys the word of God.
Her poetry was influenced by the Scripture and the Neoclassical Verse of Alexander Pope.
Writing settled her fears and memories from her ship ride to America and the uncertainties she anticipated.
She wrote about some tragic and exciting events occcurring in her life: The death of Reverend George Whitefield, Boston Massacre, the death of her master Susanna Wheatley, George Washington's Appointment to presidency and the victory of the British.
She wrote many patriotic verses as well.
Themes in her poems included freedom, escape, equality before god and African heritage.

Important Facts and Accomplishments

She published first poem on december21, 1767 in the nwe port Rhode Island, Mecury.
In 1773 thirty-nine of phillis' poems were published and titled as poems on various subjects, religious and moral. It became the first volume of poetry to be published by an African American.
She mastered english and the Wheatley encouraged her to learn literature, mythology, latin, and greek.
Her poetry was influenced by the poetry of Alexader Pope and John Milton.
She was dubbed the name "sable muse" and poems on various subjects, was published in London 1773.
She died at age 31 a few months after her two children.
After her death two books of her writings were published: The Memories and Poems of Phillis Wheatley and The Letters of Phillis Wheatley.
She married John peters in 1778 after her master Susannah Wheatley died and she was free.
Her first published poem was called "on Messers. Hussery and coffin." which appeared in the Newport Mercury in 1767.
she had three children, but both died in an African American boarding house where they lived.
Works Cited